Economic Frustrations

You know, I find myself so disappointed right in now in our country.  The Economic decisions that are being made are in my own opinion (no hate mail) are ill thought out.  The bail out money that we gave these companies make my stomach churn.  Is it not a dog eat dog world?  In my opinion (and again, this is MY opinion - I am entitled to it) that bail out money should have been divided amoung the citizens here in America and then decided by us who sank and who survived.  What did that bail out provide?  Even bigger bonuses for the already selfish, self centered rich?  They run their companies into the ground and had to be saved.  Did they REALLY deserve a bonus?  Come on...let's look at the big picture and what's important in our nation.

It makes me especially sick when I look at the amount of money that our schools are lacking.  Which brings me to the latest saga and drama in the house of Flavin today.  Our city schools are down $3 million.  Because of this, our school board has decided to shut down 1 of our 4 Elementary Schools in my town.  And wouldn't you know up for debate to close is the one that my girls attend.  They would consolidate our school with another school on our side of town.  However, in doing this, they had to change the lines of the school districts to even up all the numbers.  The kids from our current school, Dixon,  is being split between the "new elementary school' and one of the other remaining schools.  This is causing friendships to be split and adjustments made for all the children in these schools.  Not only that but many jobs will be lost.  Another dilema within this decision is my babysitter who once was in my school district no longer is. I will now have to figure out how to get my girls to and from school on the days that I work because riding the school bus will no longer be an option. 

Dixon is a wonderful Elementary School with award winning teachers, high test scores and the most amazing staff available to have in a school.  To think of any of these people losing their jobs is truly sickening.   Our city has already made the decision to release the cleaning staff and replace them with local prisoners. The prisoners would come into our schools at night when the students are not there.  Why is it, that when cuts need to be made, that it always seems that the low rung of the ladder is the first to get the cuts?  Personally, I feel that the school  board committee should NOT receive a paycheck.  They should be made up of parents voted in that are very hands on within our school districts.  Our superintendant of schools and the higher ups within should take a paycut of between 5-10% to save on money.  Why should teachers and other employees that are working within the school walls with our children be cut when they are helping our children learn and grow?  By re-evaluating the school staff that is located within our City Hall I am sure that cuts could be made there first and they would find much more money if they would open their eyes to it.  Does the school really need 3 computer engineers serving the school computers?  I don't think so.  Especially since I know for a fact that the City here has one main computer engineer that acts in the sole position of a help desk for users.  I know this because my husband is that man.  Bryan overlooks 500+ city users on a day to day basis and it's a 24 hour job that he is on call for at all times.  If Bryan can handle maning all those computers then why does the schools need to have more then one engineer themselves?  In releasing two engineers they would be saving over $125,000.

Not only does our city need to look at the payout areas of our schools but needs to figure out where to help schools come up with the much needed money.  If our City Manager would re-evaluate many things I am certain that he would find cuts to be beneficial without necessarily many losing their jobs.  Our city has many "management" positions within departments.  In my husbands department there are 5 employees  - of the five there are 3 that are "management".  Does that seem very balanced to you?  These managers do not clock in or out and if they show up for a few minutes a day they are free to leave without using any kind of leave.  They also receive an extra week of vacation.  If our City Manager re-evaluated this, reduced the number of managers within, and cut top salaries by 5-10% that alone would be a huge money savings.  Also, at this ecomonic hardship, do we absolutely need an Assistant City Manager?  His salary is between $115,000 to $125,000.  That is a lot in the ways of helping schools. 

I know that a lot of money is also given to our schools for sports.  A whole lot of money.  While the school board has decided to cut $10,000 out of their budget on that end, I feel that it cut more.  When we contacted the board to receive information on how much was spent with last years budget we were given excuses to the new budget and still did not receive the infomation we requested.  Wouldn't it make more sense to have parents of these students pay for the student to play?  Maybe have a few scholarships but overall, parents fund it?  If new uniforms are needed then why can't the students fundraise?  I was a drama student back in my day and our school never gave the drama department money.  All our money was given to athletics.  So, when we wanted to buy the playrights, costumes, lighting, etc.  we worked our hinneys off to earn those things.  And we appreciated those items that much more.  While currently my girls do not play sports (if they ever decided to I would happily oblige their wishes) we are involved in activities that I do pay for.  In my opinion that is just a parents obligation.

It's a sad, sad situation when children suffer the consequences for poor money management.  These children are our future and by eliminating activities through the schools or cutting their funds we are in the long run hurting ourselves.  These children are our future doctors, lawyers, nurses, politicians, entrapeneurs, farmers, etc.  These children will be making the important decisions on how to run our society when us current adults are ready to hand over those reins.  In all areas for our state/country to cut money - education should NOT be on the list.